The Peabody Awards

The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel (Panoply)

An original, serialized podcast, The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel transports listeners to H.G. Wells Middle School to follow Mars Patel—a plucky but brilliant outcast prone to trouble—and his friends as they investigate the mysterious connection between disappearing kids and a billionaire inventor. With vivid characters and fast-paced storytelling, The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel recaptures the best of golden age radio while also representing fresh and diverse young voices. The hero is an Indian-American son of a single mother, and one of his best friends is a gruff young girl who may well identify as a boy. Never preachy, the podcast artfully embodies both an old-fashioned sensibility and a modern outlook, while exploring timeless pre-adolescent themes. Crushes and misunderstandings collide with attack drones and spaceships, dramatizing beautifully the thrills and absurdities of growing up. For introducing a new generation to the wonders of audio storytelling, The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel earns a Peabody Award.